KATHMANDU: The Parliamentary Inquiry Special Committee has recommended action against Kumar Ramtel, GB Rai, Rabi Lamichhane, and former DIG Chabilal Joshi.
They have been accused of embezzling Rs 85 crore (Rs 850 million from various cooperatives while they were associated with Gorkha Media Network.
Currently, Ramtel is in jail, and GB Rai is absconding.
Rabi Lamichhane, who is also the Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP); and former DIG Joshi, although not yet under investigation, are also included in the recommendation for prosecution.
The committee’s investigation confirmed Lamichhane’s involvement in the expenditure of these funds.
It was also revealed that Rai, Lamichhane, and Director Chabilal Joshi operated joint accounts in two banks, managing them through KYC forms and signing cheques together.
Committee member Shishir Khanal stated that Lamichhane had only claimed responsibility for Gorkha Media’s management.
“The report suggests that responsibility should be taken if it is created during internal and financial administration,” Khanal stated.
“The recommendation for action emphasizes that responsibility must be aligned with the calculations of Gorkha Media’s operations, though further research is needed.”
Despite Lamichhane’s attempts to refute allegations, the investigation committee amassed substantial evidence confirming his guilt.
Funds from approximately 50,000 individuals’ savings across Suryadarshan in Pokhara, Supreme in Butwal, Swarna Laxmi in Kathmandu, and Sahara Cooperatives in Chitwan were transferred to Gorkha Media Network, where Rai served as Chairman and Lamichhane as Managing Director.
A parliamentary special committee was formed after Lamichhane, then Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, obstructed the investigation by suppressing complaints from co-operative savers.
The committee was tasked with investigating 29 cooperatives, including those that transferred funds to Gorkha Media Network.
During his testimony, Lamichhane claimed ignorance of the funds transferred to Gorkha Media Network, stating that he only learned about the co-operative funds after being re-elected as an MP.
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